Are you prepared?

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He also discusses the importance of run, hide, fight in

context and how they aren’t mutually exclusive during an

active threat. But as school shootings, workplace violence

and international terrorism become a normal part of our

society, it is increasingly important not only for individuals to

be prepared, but also companies.

David noted that many companies don’t have policies and

procedures in place to evaluate potential problems.“The

signs are usually there well before an act of violence occurs,”

he said. “Whether it is time or expense, many companies,

particularly smaller companies, haven’t taken the time to

put in policies and procedures in place to both identify and

handle a situation.”

AUG

8.15 NACM Heartland Board Meeting, West Des Moines, IA

8.22 LEADERSHIP WEBINAR SERIES: Developing Your Team

8.19 NACM Heartland Steel Meeting, Bloomington, MN

8.22 NACM Heartland Construction Meeting, DSM

8.23 NACM Heartland National Ag Retail Regional Meeting

Algona, IN

SEPT

9.3–12.13 ONLINE COURSE: Accounting

9.3–12.6 ONLINE COURSE: International Credit & Risk Management

9.6–12.6 ONLINE COURSE: Business Law

9.9–12.6 ONLINE COURSE: Credit Law

9.11 NACM Heartland Annual Meeting, DSM

9.12 NACM Heartland National Ag Retail Regional Meeting

Ankeny, IA

9.12 NACM Heartland Fall Ag Conference, Ankeny, IA

9.13 CERTIFICATION: Applications due for the CBA, CBF

and CCE November 4 nationwide exam

9.16–9.20 CERTIFICATION COURSE: Financial Statement Analysis 1

9.18 NACM Heartland National Ag Reatil Regional Meeting

Hays, KS

9.20 NACM Heartland National Ag Reatil Regional Meeting

Willmar, MN

9.26 NACM Heartland Construction Meeting, DSM

9.26 WEBINAR: Beyond the Signature:

Electronic document and signature legality

OCT

10.2 NACM Heartland Ag Meetings, Kansas City, MO

10.7–10.11 CERTIFICATION COURSE: Business Credit Principles

10.9 NACM Heartland Board Meeting, Johnston, IA

10.23–24 NACM Heartland Construction Meeting, Omaha/DSM

10.24 WEBINAR: Excel tips and tricks for Credit Managers

10.24 LEADERSHIP WEBINAR SERIES: Managing Upward:

Selling your Ideas & Building Your Business Case

EARLIER THIS YEAR, MEMBERS OF A NACM HEARTLAND CREDIT EXCHANGE GROUP BROUGHT IN DAVID AZUELO OF RAYTHEON MISSILE SYSTEMS AND GLOBAL SECURITY SERVICES AS AN EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY.

AUGUST 2019

>> CONTINUED ON BACK PAGE

CALENDAR

NEW MEMBERS Covetrus

First Cooperative Association

Great Bend Co-Op

Helm Fertilizer Corp.

New Century FS

His typical presentation is four hours

long, but the group was skeptical they

needed that time and provided half

the time. Three hours later, David needed to leave, and the

group was astounded at how fast the time had gone.

The topic was more than interesting. It provided valuable

information about how to prepare for a violent threat

whether you are at work or in a public place.

“We talk about situational awareness. Sometimes preparing is

as simple as counting the number seats between you and the

exit. If something happened and you couldn’t see the exit, you

would still have the ability to find your way out,” he said.

HEARTLAND

HEAD LINER

4

This includes planning for what happens after a threat has

been identified – even looking at how to address safety

concerns outside of the office.

“The threat doesn’t resolve itself simply by termination,”

David said. “There still should be a concern for safety.

You need to assess the proper response. This may

include briefing key employees, as well as collaborating

with authorities to check in with those who have been

impacted by the threat.”

An emerging concern for companies is surrounding the

issue of standard of care. If something were to happen at

your office it will likely cost a lot of money – not only in

profit, but reputation, and most likely restitution to

the victims.

A critical piece of case law could be rewritten in the

near future. In the Parkland shootings, school resource

officers, who have now been fired, did not respond as

expected. This neglect of duty is at the heart of the case

against them. “Now take this further. Let’s say they are

found guilty,” he said. “If there are signs at a company

of potential threat, and it is ignored it could be argued

that the company neglected its duty to provide a safe

environment for its employees. How will this impact the

company? This will be interesting to watch.”

Ultimately, there are many facets to this conversation, but

the heart of it is simply preparedness. “You need to take

15 seconds to think so you won’t be startled. It can save

your life,” he said.

David Azeulo will be the featured speaker at our annual meeting on

Wednesday, Sept. 11 at the Wakonda Club in Des Moines. He’ll speak

from 1 -5 p.m. with a wine and cheese reception immediately following.

The event is open to non-members. Cost is $50/person or $200 for five

employees from the same company.

>> ARE YOU PREPARED CONTINUED

MARK YOUR CALENDAR:

ANNUAL MEETING

FEATURED SPEAKER:

David Azeulo

Wednesday, Sept. 11

Wakonda Club

Des Moines

CREDIT MANAGER’S TOOLBOX

Maximizing your ICE experience: Newsfeed and Watchlists

+ NEWSFEED

32

Scholarship Winners Reflect on Credit Congress

Valerie Moore, CCECredit Analyst

Helena Agri-Enterprises

Tell us a little bit about yourself: I have been with

Helena since March of

2009. I started here as a

Credit Secretary doing basic

processing responsibilities, was

promoted in 2011 to a Credit

Administrator where I learned

much more about the actual

credit decision making process

and in August of 2018 was

promoted to the position of

Credit Analyst. I handle all the

retail financing for our Division,

all small Credit Limit approvals

($25,000 and below) and

training of new staff.

Have you been to Credit Congress before? I had not

been to Credit Congress

before. I obtained my CCE in

March and thought this year

was a good time to check it

out. I knew that they were

offering Financial Statement

Analysis 2, and I really wanted

to take it so I could obtain

my CCRA and round out my

certifications. Next time I go, I

am excited to be able to sit in

on some of the sessions.

I really enjoyed the general

session and the opportunity

to meet other credit

professionals. It is amazing

to me how many people are

in this field, but, also how

different their approach to

credit and how day to day

responsibilities can differ

based on the industry that

they are working in.

Would you encourage others to go? Do it! It was

one of the best work-related

trips I have ever taken. Not

only was it a fun environment,

but the professionals that

we get the chance to learn

from are speaking from such

a high-level of experience. It

was great!

Derek Tribble, CBFWholesale Credit Manager

MFA Incorporated

What is your role at MFA?I am the Wholesale

Credit Manager at MFA

Incorporated. My four key

focuses are reviewing line of

credit applications, running

annual reviews on larger

customers, and managing

accounts receivable aging.

I also do work with return

checks and balancing parts of

the general ledger.

Why did you apply for the scholarship?

I am always looking for

opportunities to learn. Credit

Congress presents several

opportunities that benefit the

attendees. In addition to this,

I took the CBF exam while at

Credit Congress.

What was the most interesting/best part of Credit Congress? I thoroughly

enjoyed the sessions and the

variety available for credit

professionals to attend. Since

there were two attendees

from MFA we were able to

split up and see more sessions.

The variety of options allows

people from different industries

and with different experiences

to tailor their experience to

benefit themselves and their

companies.

Any advice to someone who is thinking about going next year? Research the session

topics and the speakers

before deciding what to

attend. I found out that who

the presenter is was just as

important as the topic. This

may also help determine

if the session will be more

interactive or instructive.

Setting expectations and

goals for what you would like

to get out of Credit Congress

is an important factor.

EACH YEAR, THE NACM HEARTLAND BOARD OF DIRECTORS AWARDS TWO SCHOLARSHIPS FOR

MEMBERS TO ATTEND CREDIT CONGRESS. This year’s recipients -- Valerie Moore of Helena Agri-

Enterprises and Derek Tribble from MFA Incorporated – took a few minutes to provide some

insight into why they applied for the scholarships and why they found the experience valuable.

Former Board Member Mike Oglesby Remembered

Several members of NACM

Heartland traveled to

Grundy Center, Iowa, in mid-

July to celebrate the life of

Mike Oglesby, who served

on the board of directors

for nearly a decade in

mid-2000s. He also served

as chairman of NACM, Ag

Credit Midwest Exchange.

He passed away last year at

his home in Portland, Ore.

“Mike’s contributions to

NACM are appreciated as

much today as when he

served on the board,” said

Maggie Bessenbacher. “As

we’ve talked about his

time on the board, we are

reminded that his leadership

helped us move forward

in a purposeful way. More

importantly, we remember

what wonderful person he

was. We’ll certainly miss him.”

His complete obituary can

be found at legacy.com

by searching for Michael

Thomas Oglesby.

Most of our NACM Heartland members are ICE database users and understand

the value of having access to accurate, timely data. The following features were

designed to assist in monitoring account activities that may impact your portfolio.

+ WATCHLISTThe watchlist is simply a place to organize accounts you want to keep

an eye on. For example, perhaps you have a number of customers who

are up for a credit line review. Or, you may identify delinquent accounts

you need to monitor closely. Watchlists are an easy tool to set up

reminders and stay on top of your ever-changing portfolio.

The newsfeed is where you can find information about accounts in

your portfolio. The information is updated daily and customizable

to meet your needs. Most users review the feed daily, but some use

the setting to receive an email when an entry is added. While every

item doesn’t require action, ICE users will either add the account to

the watchlist or pull a credit report.

To easily keep track of

tasks, accounts can be

added to your watchlist

from multiple places in

ICE — from the credit

report, meeting packet

and account profile. This

feature gives you the

ability to set a note to

alert you when it is time to

contact the account again.

Over the years, we’ve talked

about the great credit card

processing solutions offered

by United TranzActions. We’re

pleased to announce NACM

Heartland is now a client!

Beginning in August, members

have the option to pay for

educational opportunities

by credit card. The board

of directors approved the

decision this summer for ease of

payment, as well as to make it

easier for guests to participate.

The credit card option will only

be available online. UPDATED DAILY

AND CUSTOMIZABLE

TO MEET YOUR

NEEDS

SET UP REMINDERS

AND STAY ON TOP OF

YOUR PORTFOLIO

WE’RE ACCEPTINGCREDIT CARDS

NACM HEARTLAND

2019 FALL AG CONFERENCE

SEPT 12 | 1–4 PM

FFA ENRICHMENT CENTERDMACC Campus

1055 SW Prairie Trail ParkwayAnkeny, Iowa

SPEAKERS

CHAD HARTAssociate Professor of Economics

Iowa State University

JIM KNUTHSenior Vice President

Farm Credit Services of America